Why I'm running two 10ks for STAMMA

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Rebecca with daughter Ivy after the Blackpool 10k Run, May 2025

With one sponsored 10k run down and another one to go, Becca Jones tells us how therapy and her love of running helped her feel positive about stammering following the birth of her daughter.

While on maternity leave after having my little girl Ivy, who's now 20 months old, I noticed I was stammering more. Some suggested it might be due to hormonal changes, while others pointed to the lack of sleep or the overwhelming pressure of suddenly being responsible for a tiny human!

I reached out for speech therapy as I didn't like how much I was starting to let it hold me back in different areas of my life; I knew something had to change. A huge part of the therapy involved looking at how I feel about stammering and trying to change it, as well as being open about it both at home and at work.

Another major part of my journey has involved my love for running. I got back into it after Ivy was born and it's become a space where I can completely switch off — offering both a physical release and a mental break from the pressures of daily life.

I would never want my baby girl to be embarrassed or want to hide a stammer if she ever develops one. So this is all for her.

Now, a year later, I could never have imagined being where I am today, feeling so much more positive and confident about my speech. I truly believe in everything happening for a reason as I now have a much better attitude and feeling towards my stammer and I'm hoping to continue to spread awareness and help others — you may have read the article I wrote earlier in the year about creating posters for patients who stammer at the dental practice where I work. 

Training

This year my parents encouraged me to join them in a few 10k runs. I took them up on it and I decided to raise money for STAMMA because they gave me the opportunity to take the first step in sharing my story — and in finally saying to the world: I stammer. For 30 years, I tried to hide it, pretending it didn't exist. But STAMMA has helped me find my voice for the very first time, and for that I'll always be grateful.

I did the first run in Blackpool this May, which proved to be a real challenge due to the heat. But I achieved a personal best, and that, together with seeing Ivy's face at the finish line, truly made it all worthwhile. The second 10K is in York this August, and I'm currently in training. My routine involves a couple of short 5k runs during the week and a longer run at the weekend. For most of my life, I believed that eating protein would make me gain weight. But now, that's completely changed. For the first time I'm enjoying exercise, eating more mindfully and not obsessing over the number on the scales, and I just feel so much better in myself. I still allow myself the occasional sweet treat, though!

A big part of what helped to change my mindset was when I realised that if my daughter Ivy develops a stammer, how can I expect her to feel comfortable with it if I don't? I would never want my baby girl to be embarrassed or want to hide a stammer if she ever develops one. So this is all for her. 

I hope to one day continue my fundraising by running my first half marathon! With Ivy at the finishing line cheering me on.

Please visit Becca's JustGiving page if you'd like to sponsor her ahead of the York 10k Run on 3rd August.

Read more Your Voice articles. Would you like to write something? See Submit Something For The Site or email editor@stamma.org for details.

Would you like to run, walk, cycle, whatever, for STAMMA? See our Challenge Events page for more details.